Apparatus for collating punched cards



Aug. 11, 1953 c. STUIVENBERG 2,648,222

APPARATUS FOR COLLATING PUNCHED CARDS Filed Aug. 6, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTM- COiNEus #ENvn/ca: cra/riunb'u Aug. 11, 1953 c. H. STUIVENBERG 2,648,222

APPARATUS FOR COLLATING PUNCHED CARDS Filed Aug. 6, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fly. 3

- INVENTOR- canueus HENDfi/cu' :ruIvEA/u'n Aug. 11 1953 c. H. STUIVENBERG APPARATUS FOR COLLATING PUNCHED CARDS Filed Aug. 6, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR CORNELL) IJFIDR/(UJ 67'll/l/FNBEI Aug. 11, 1953 c. H. STUIVENBERG 2,643,222

. APPARATUS FOR COLLATING PUNCHED CARDS Filed Aug. 6, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lfiventor" CORMELIS ,6Tu|vF NBeR(1 EEEOPOCLQS Patented Aug. 11, 1953 OFFICE APPARATUS FOR COLLATIN G PUNCHED CARDS- Uornelis Hendricus Stuivenberg, Haarlem, Netherlands Application August 6, 1947, Serial No. 766,767 In the Netherlands August 27, 1945 Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires August 27, 1965 Claims.

The invention relates to an apparatus for collating or comparing punched cards. Known apparatus of this type are operated in such a manner that separate rows of perforations of the cards to be collated are examined and collated. In this connection it is found that the time required for comparing the cards, in accordance with the number of rows of perforations, is a multiple of the time required for collating one row of perforations.

The invention is based on the idea that the time required for collating punched cards can be reduced to a minimum when all the perforation places of the cards to be compared are collated simultaneously. The invention, therefore, aims at producing an apparatus by means of which punched cards can be collated in such a manner, although it is not exclusively destined to be used for such a way of collation.

According to the invention there is provided feeler means, such as pins, for each perforation place which takes up a different position depending on whether a perforation is present or absent, and a collation adjusting device such as a lever system belonging to each perforation place of the cards to be compared which takes up a different position depending on whether a perforation is present or absent. These devices control an examining device in such a manner that the latter takes up a different position depending on whether the perforation or non-perforation of one card corresponds to that of another or not.

The positions of the examining devices belonging to the separate perforations can be analyzed in several ways. Each examining device may, for example, be mechanically detected by a feeling device and the result may be transferred to a recording device. It is also possible to analyze the positions of the examining devices electrically, for example by each device operating an electrical contact which switches on a recording device. The contacts operated by the examining devices are then preferably all connected in parallel and so applied that in case of non-agreement the contacts are closed. In each case the recording device then records whether there is agreement or not.

The drawing illustrates a few embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates a collating apparatus for one perforation place.

Figs. 2-4 illustrate the collating apparatus in difierent positions, which arise during he comparing of punched cards, 1

Fig. 5 illustrates another embodiment.

Fig. 6 illustrates a collating apparatus for all the perforation places of one card column.

In Figures 1 to 5 a lower sensing support for a punched card I and an upper sensing support for a punched card 2 have been provided. In the particular case illustrated the sensing supports consist of card pockets. Cooperating with the lower sensing support, is an adjusting device or feeler pin 3, which ispressed against the card I by the action of a spring. Similarly cooperating with the upper sensing support is a feeler pin 4, which is likewise pressed by the action of a spring against the card 2 to be compared. When the feeler pin 3 or the pin 4 encounters a perforation, it passes through the card; in all other cases it is held by the card against the action of the spring. Against the pin 3 rests a lever t, which is pivoted to a fixed point 5 and to which a lever 1 has been pivotally connected, which lever 1 also bears on the pin 4.

For the operation of the above apparatus the particular manner in which the punched cards I and 2 to be compared are examined is subject to variation. The cards, each lying on a corresponding matrix, may, for example, be moved past the feeler pins 3 and 4. In that case .the apparatus Works as described above, 1. e. the pins 3 and 4, when encountering non-punched places of the cards, are held against movement by the springs. However, examination of the cards may also be effected by means of separate feeling pins. In this case the separate feeling pins, lying on the opposite sides of the cards from the pins 3 and 4, touch the cards and pass through the corresponding perforations of the cards, and press back the pins 3 and 4 corresponding to the perforations against the action of the springs.

The connection of the levers 5 and 1 results in the free end of the lever 1 being moved a given distance when only one pin 3 or 4 is moved in accordance with a perforation aligning therewith, whereas itis moved double this distance when both the :pins 3 and 4 are so moved. The diiferent positions which the levers 6 and I may take up during detection of punched cards are illustrated in Figs. 2-4. In Fig. 2 the punched card 2 lying on the upper sensing support has no perforation at the perforation place collated, whereas the lower punched card I does have a perforation in this place. The pin 3 has, there fore, passed through the hole of the card I, so that the lever 6 has not changed its position during detection. The pin 4, on the other hand, has been moved down by the non-punched card,

as a result of which the lever 1 has been moved into its intermediate position. In Fig. 3 it is just the opposite. The upper card 2 has a perforation at the collation place, whereas the lower card I has not been punched. As a result of this the pin 3 has been moved up by the non-punched card during detection, owing to which the lever 6 has turned clockwise round the pivot 5. Since the pin 4 has passed through the perforation of the card 2, the end of the lever i adjacent pin 4 is in its position of rest. Since, however, the lever 6 has moved about its pivot, the pivot point in the middle of the lever I has been slightly lifted, so that in this case, too, the free end of the lever l is in its intermediate position. In Fig. 4 neither of the cards and 2 has any perforation at the collation place. The pins 3 and 4 have accordingly been pressed back during detection of the cards. As a result of this both the lever 6 and the lever l have been swung so that the free end of the lever I has reached its topmost position. A fourth possibility would be for both the cards I and 2 to have perforations at the place of collation, This case has not been illustrated separately in the drawing. tion of the levers 6 and 1 during detection corresponds in this case to the position of rest of the components, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Thus, in this fourth case, the free end of the lever I remains in its lowest position during detection.

As appears from the various cases of detection dealt with in the above, the intermediate position of the free end of the lever l is a criterion for the fact that the detected punched cards I and 2 are not in agreement at the perforation place detected, that, therefore, only one of the two cards has a perforation. In order to turn to detect the position of th lever l, in Figs. 1-4 an electrical switch 8 has been provided, the contacts of which are in contact with each other;

when the free end of the lever l is in its intermediate position. Switch 8 may operate a recording device for recording the non-agreement of the detected punched cards, for example, by switching on current through a main switch, closed automatically at the right moment, via the switch 8 to the recording device. When the contacts of the switch 8 come into contact with each other, i. e. when the end of the lever l is in its intermediate position, the recording device responds, whereas when the contacts of the switch 8 are opened, no current passes through the main switch, so that the recording device does not respond.

Instead of the electrical apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1-4 use may also be made of a mechanical apparatus, as illustrated, for example, in Fig. 5. A lever [0, having a pin II, has been provided, and together with the lever [0, a lever l2 has been pivoted on pivot pin 9. Lever I2 is rotatable and is connected to the lever l by means of a spring [3, which urges the lever [2 against the pin H of the lever H1. The end of the lever l2 has been placed so as to be opposite the free end of the lever I only when the latter is in its intermediate position.

If after the detection of the punched cards I and 2 the position of the lever 1 brought about by the detection is to be detected, the pin 9 is slightly turned clockwise. The lever l0 at the same time performs a corresponding rotation, in the course of which the lever I2 is urged in the same direction by the spring I3. If the end of the lever l2 engages the free end of the lever I, there exists, consequently, no agreement be- The positween the detected punched cards I and 2, and the lever l2 cannot follow in the further rotation of the lever 10. Thus the lever l2 will rotate with respect to the lever l0 and the axle 9, which rotation can be detected in some known way to cause a recording device for the non-agreement to respond.

Fig. 6 illustrates a collating apparatus for the six perforation laces of a perforation column of cards which have been punched according to a combination key. The parts of the collating apparatus provided for the separate perforation places have been given the same reference numbers as in Figs. 1-4. The reference numbers only differ through the addition of small characters. From the drawing it appears that the pins 3 and 4 and the levers 6 and i for the separate perforation places can be placed in the space-limited at the side-of a column, when the levers 6 and l are staggered and the pins 3 and 4 have been given different lengths. The electrical switches 8 oo-operating with the separat levers l have all been connected in parallel, so that the recording device controlled by them responds as soon as a single switch closes its contacts.

If not only the perforations of a column, but perforations of larger perforation fields or even of entire punched cards are to be collated, several apparatuses of the type illustrated in Fig. 6 may be placed side by side. If, for example, ten columns are to be compared, ten collating apparatuses in accordance with Fig. 6 should be combined directly side by side. In such a case the electrical switches 8 can be replaced by a single switch for each group of levers 6 and l lying side by side at the same level, while each switch 8 would have to be provided with a rail or the like, which would be pressed back when only one lever 1 were adjusted in its middle position, so that the respective switch 8 would close its contacts.

The collating apparatus described need not necessarily be used for comparing the perforations of two punched cards, but may also serve to examine the perforations of cards, punched in accordance with available data, with reference to the said data. In this case th adjusting devices 3 or the collating adjusting devices 4 would be controlled from a keyboard equipped with looking means keeping the keys pressed down.

Both cards are analyzed and if there is dissimilarity between the perforations, the signaling device will become operative, and if desired, may in this instance, in any manner not forming a part of this invention, control the driving motor for the duplicating machine 50 as to stop said driving motor.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for collating cards provided with punched holes, comprising in combination, a casing having two card pockets for respectively receiving the cards to be collated, feeler means respectively associated with each of said pockets and operable to extend through the respective pocket at all points corresponding to the punched. holes in the card within the respective pocket, the feeler means of one pocket being coordinated with the feeler means of the other pocket so that one feeler means of one pocket forms a pair with the corresponding feeler means of the other pocket, a lever pair for each pair of feeler means, each lever pair comprising a first lever pivotally mounted at one end on a stationary point in the casing and engaged at its other end by the feeler means pertaining only to one of said pockets and to one of said pairs, a second lever engaged at one end by the feeler means pertaining only to the other pocket but to said one pair, said second lever being pivotally connected at an intermediate point to and supported by said first lever, and signalling means positioned to be actuated by the other end of said second lever upon movement of said second lever as brought about by one only of the feeler means of one and the same pair failing to pass through its corresponding pocket while a card is located therein.

2. An apparatus for collating cards provided with punched holes, comprising in combination, a casing having two card pockets for respectively receiving the cards to be collated, feeler means respectively associated with each of said pockets and operable to extend through the respective pocket at all points corresponding to the punched holes in the card within the respectiv pocket, the feeler means of one pocket being coordinated with the feeler means of the other pocket in pairs, a lever pair for each pair of feeler means, each lever pair comprising a first lever pivotally mounted at one end on a stationary point in the casing and engaged at the other end by the feeler means pertaining only to one of said pockets and to one of said pairs, a second lever engaged at one end by the feeler means pertaining only to the other pocket but to said one pair,

said second lever being pivotally connected at an 7 intermediate point to said first lever and being carried thereby, and signalling means positioned to be controlled by movement of the other end of the second lever as brought about by movement of the second lever in response to the actua- I tion of only one of the feeler means of the associated pair of feeler means during a collating action.

3. An apparatus for collating cards provided with punched holes, comprising in combination, 1

a casing having two card pockets for respectively receivin the cards to be collated, feeler means respectively associated with each of said pockets and operable to extend through the respective pocket at all points corresponding to the punched holes in the card within the respective pocket, the feeler means of one pocket being coordinated with the feeler means of the other pocket in pairs, a lever pair for each pair of feeler means, pivot means stationarily mounted in said casing for each lever pair, a first lever pivotally mounted at one end on each said pivot means and engaged at its other end by the feeler means pertaining only to one of said pockets and to one of said pairs, a second lever operable by the feeler means pertaining only to the other pocket but to said one pair, said second lever being pivotally connected at an intermediate point to said first lever and being carried thereby, and signalling means operable by movement of said second lever as brought about by the failure of one of the feeler means of one pair to pass through its corresponding pocket whereas the other feeler means of the same pair does pass through its corresponding pocket while cards are located in the said pockets.

4. An apparatus for collating cards provided with punched holes, comprising in combination, a casing having two card pockets for respectively receiving the cards to be collated, feeler means respectively associated with each of said pockets and operable to extend transversely through the respective pocket at all points corresponding to punched holes in the card within the respective pocket, the feeler means of one pocket being coordinated with the feeler means of the other pocket so that one feeler means of one pocket forms a pair-with the corresponding feeler means of the other pocket, a lever pair for each pair of feeler means, each lever pair comprising a first lever having one end pivotally mounted on a stationary pivot means in the casin and having its other end arranged for cooperation with feeler means pertaining only to one of said pockets and to one .of said pairs, a second lever arranged as a twoarm lever'and pivotally supported at an intermediate point by said first lever, one arm of said second lever being arranged for cooperation with feelermeans pertaining only to the other pocket but to the same one of said pairs, and signalling means adjacent the other end of said second lever and arranged for actuation by movement of the said other end of said second lever when said second lever is moved in response to difierential movement between said feeler means.

5. An apparatus for collating cards provided with punched holes, comprising in combination, a casing having two card pockets for respectively receiving the cards to be collated, a plurality of feeler pins respectively associated with each of said pockets and arranged for penetration through the respective pocket in a direction transverse to the plane of the card in said pocket and at all points corresponding to punched holes in the card within the respective pocket, said feeler pins being arranged in pairs so that one feeler pin of one ocket forms a pair with a feeler pin of the other pocket, the feeler pins of .each pair being arranged co-axially with regard to each other, spring means associated with the pins of each pair continuously urging the pins of each pair in opposite direction, pivot means for each pair of pins stationarily mounted in said casing, a first lever pivotally mounted on each said pivot means, one portion of each said first lever being arranged for engagement by one pin only of one pair of pins, a second lever pivotally connected at an intermediate point to and carried :by the said first lever, one end of each said second lever being arranged for engagement with the other pin only of the said one pair of pins pertaining to the associated first lever, and signalling means arranged for engagement and actuation by the other end of said second lever, said signalling means being arranged so as to be made operative in response to movement of said second lever to a predetermined position as brought about by movement of the pins associated with the levers to predetermined relative positions.

6. An apparatus for collating cards provided withpunched holes, comprising in combination, a casing having two card pockets for respectively receiving the cards to be collated, a plurality of feeler pins respectively associated with each of said pockets and operable to extend through the respective pocket at all points corresponding to the punched holes in the card within the respectivepocket, the feeler pins associated with one pocket being coordinated with the feeler pins associated with the other pocket so that one pin of one pocket forms a pair within a pin of the other pocket, a lever pair for each pair of pins, each lever pair comprising a first lever having one end hinged to a stationary pivot in said casing and having its other end arranged for actuation by one feeler pin only of one pair, a second lever pivotally connected at an intermediate point to and supported by said first lever, said second lever being a two-arm lever having one arm arranged for actuation by the other pin only of said one pair, electric contact mean arranged for actuation by the other arm of said second lever, said contact means being actuated in response to the movement of said second lever in response to the actuation of one of said pins only by one and the same pair during a collating operation for bringing about a predetermined change of position of said contact means, and signalling means connected in circuit with contact means responsive to said predetermined change for indieating a signal thereby indicating the presence of two unevenly punched cards to be collated.

7. An apparatus for collating cards provided with punched holes, comprising in combination, a casing having two card pockets for respectively receiving the cards to be collated, a plurality of feeler pins respectively associated with each of said pockets and operable to extend through the respective pockets at all points corresponding to the punched holes in the card within the respective pocket, the ieeler pins associated with one pocket being coordinated with the feeler pins associated with the other pocket so that one pin of one pocket forms a pair with a pin oi the other pocket, a lever pair for each pair of pins, each lever pair comprising a first lever having one end pivotally connected to a stationary point in said casing and having its other end arranged for actuation by one feeler pin only of one pair, a second lever pivotally connected at an intermediate point to and supported by said first lever, said second. lever being a two-arm lever having one arm arranged for actuation by the other pin only of said one pair, cam means arranged for engagement and actuation by the other arm of said second lever and operable by movement of said second lever in response to the actuation of one pin only of one and the same pair during a collating operation to move into a predetermined position, and signalling means operable by said cam means in response to the movement thereof into said predetermined position by said second lever.

8. In an apparatus for collating cards provided with punched holes, a pair of card pockets for receiving the cards to be collated, a feeler pin associated with each of said pockets arranged for extending through the pockets in a direction transverse to the plane of the card therein at a point corresponding to punched holes in the cards in the pockets, a pair of levers pivoted together at an intermediate point along their lengths and the said levers at one of their ends each being engaged by one of the said feeler pins, one of the levers being pivoted to a stationary point at its other end, whereby differential movement between said feeler pins will bring about movement of the other end of the other of said levers, and signaling means positioned adjacent the other end of the said other of said levers and so located as to be engaged and actuated by said other lever only when the said pair of levers occupies the position determined by one only of the feeler pins extending through a punched hole in the respective card.

9. In an apparatus for collating cards provided with punched holes, a casing having a pair of card pockets for receiving the cards to be collated, a feeler pin associated with each pocket arranged to extend transversely therethrough at a point corresponding to a punched hole in the card in the pocket, a lever for each pin operatively engaged thereby, one of the levers being pivoted at one point to the casing and the other lever being pivotally supported on said one lever at a second point spaced from the said one point, signaling means, and means for actuating said signaling means carried by said second lever at a point thereon spaced from the said second point, said last-mentioned point being selected along the second lever such that it will move in one and the same direction when the said pins individually enter their associated pockets, and said signaling means being arranged to be actuated by said actuating means only when the actuating means occupies an intermediate position indicating that one only of the pins is extending into its pocket.

10. In an apparatus for collating cards having punched holes therein, a casing having a pair of card pockets for receiving the cards to be collated, a feeler pin associated with each card arranged to extend transversely therethrough at a point corresponding to a punched hole in the card in the pocket, a first lever pivoted to the casing and operatively engaged by one of the pins, a second lever pivotally supported on said first lever and operative-1 en aged by the other of said pins, means connected with said second lever so arranged as to move in one direction when one of the said pins enters its pocket and to move in the same direction when the other pin enters its pocket whereby the said means has one end position when both pins are out of their pockets indicating no punch mark in either card, and has a second end position when both pins are extended through their pockets indicating a punch mark in each card, and an intermediate position when only one pin is extended through its pocket thereby indicating a punch marl: in only one card, and signaling means arranged for actuation by the said means in only the intermediate position thereof.

CORNELIS HENDRICUS STUIVENBERG.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PAENTS Number Name Date 1,591,005 Stuivenberg June 29, 1926 1,897,085 Thomas Feb. 14, 1933 2,211,094 Braun -1 Aug. 13, 1940 2,528,438 Keen Oct. 31, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 18,704 Netherlands July 17, 1928 

